'Inspiration For You' with Randy MitchellOriginally posted on 04/14/2018

Walking the Political Highway

When I was a kid growing up in the suburbs of Dallas, one of the first moments I ever remember the topic of homosexuality coming up was during an episode of M*A*S*H*, that mega-popular sitcom starring Alan Alda and many other upcoming stars. The scene displayed a soldier afraid of going back to his military unit for fear of ridicule from his fellow officers, conveying his fears to the sympathetic ears of Hawkeye Pierce and Trapper John M.D. Liberalism was starting to come into the fold among television land back then (another example: Archie Bunker), so the writers made sure the character of interest was handed the white glove treatment. For some reason at that age, my eyes were opened to an entirely different lifestyle and way of thinking. It felt weird to me, like I was being catapulted, even forced to think about alternative roads other than the main stream I was used to. I was young, very young, but that scene has stuck with me ever since. Maybe it was my introduction to the real world, and that there are many who simply dance to a different beat. My point here: I never imagined just how greatly our social values would change, and how much our elected officials continually nurture them to gain, or re-gain office.

To not many people’s surprise, and for the first time in history, a sitting American President endorsed gay marriage this week-- another moment which I could’ve never imagined happening in my lifetime. But there he was, sitting calmly and confidently, and oh so filled with his liberal supporters lining his pockets with re-election money saying that he was comfortable with same-sex marriage laws, a direct contradiction to his position expressed in 2008 when he stated he was only comfortable with civil unions. Hmm, I wonder what changed those progressive wheels churning inside his mind: Votes, money, and lots of it from powerful people sitting behind the scenes dictating to him what they want. Now, what this President really believes, I mean really believes, we’ll never know. Politicians, all of them, are simply geared to say what will firmly plant them in their elected seats. Ah, the life of a politician; it’s a crooked line I’d never want to walk.

Just FYI, here’s a history of this Presidents stance on gay marriage:

1996—He favors gay marriage.

2004—He tells Chicago public TV that, “Marriage is between a man and a woman.”

2008—He tells the Rev. Rick Warren, an extremely popular evangelist, “For me, as a Christian, marriage is a sacred union between a man and a woman.” (Note this was during an election year.)

2010—After repealing the ban on gays in the military, he tells reporters that his position is, “Evolving.”

2012—He updates his statement to ABC news that he now endorses gay marriage.

Well, there you have it folks, a true politician at the top of his game firing on all cylinders. Doesn’t it make you sit and ponder: Why can’t a politician ever just tell the truth? Why can’t they state their positions and stick with them through thick and thin? And why is it their policies and viewpoints are always “ever evolving?” Truthfully, we all know why, and therein lay the problems within our political system. And every American this election season should ask themselves: “Do I want someone sitting in the big chair who’s constantly changing his mind?”

Gay Marriage is a very heated debate among many, and what Peter/Paul and Mary/Nancy do in their bedrooms is their business. I personally don’t favor gay marriage and have always lined myself with traditional Christian values, and what the lawmakers decide is out of my hands. But, doesn’t our President and other leaders have an obligation to stick with their plan? And what I’m referring to are the positions they ran on, what they said they’d do, and what the voters expect them to do without changing course midstream like this one’s doing. And yes, we can all agree he’s definitely not the first, and certainly won’t be the last.

America has many important issues to solve, mainly how to get this country back to work, solve our energy problems and national debt, deal with the ongoing threat of terrorism, and how to re-build our good name as an industrial powerhouse. But to do that, we need leaders who are willing to take the steps necessary to make that happen, not ones who are always changing their minds when they’re threatened by lack of votes from their base or decreasing poll numbers. One of the best ways to do this is through term limits in the Senate and Congress like the Presidency, but that’s another subject for another article.

I end with this: If you’re a business person, mother, father, husband, wife, or anyone else who’s entrusted with great responsibilities to others, how successful would you be if you walked an evolving line?

Thank you for listening…

To see more of Randy Mitchell's writing, visit his website @ www.theinspirationalwriter.com

Read his novel, Sons In The Clouds on Amazon

Meet the Author:

Randy Mitchell

Inspirational Writer & Author of

“Sons In The Clouds”

As a writer and avid movie fan, I love the powerful energy behind words. Words capture and cling to people in a dramatic, poignant way - and live deep inside us all. It doesn't matter if those words are written or spoken; all of us have tales yearning to be shared with each other.

A few years ago, I drove past my childhood home in Texas: a nostalgic place where tender childhood memories still reside deep inside me. I remember those hot Texas summer nights hanging out with my sister, friends, spirited pets and my girlfriend who lived across the street. This happy snapshot transported me back in time to endless, steamy nights as we watched July 4th fireworks, ate homemade ice cream on the front porch, and cooled off at the local lake.

My childhood feels like it happened just yesterday -- innocent moments taken from my carefree youth. These memories comforted me and carried me to a place where I longed to stay – a peaceful haven where I could escape my hectic ‘adult’ life. These idyllic, cherished memories were the inspiration for my first novel, “Sons In The Clouds”. My long-time career as a pilot and love of aviation are seen through my main characters, Andy and Wade, who serve as Navy pilots in the Vietnam War.

“Sons In The Clouds” exposes emotional drama that showcases the vulnerable fragility of human nature. The belief in God serves as the problem-solver -- a pathway to the truth -- a light to be used when the problems of man cannot be solved, and becomes a way to expose weaknesses in those appearing to be strong.I breathe life into my characters in believable, exceptionally REAL ways. A strong theme interwoven throughout the pages is that “love conquers all” – as seen through the unfaltering, devoted commitment between my male characters and the women they leave behind.

My female characters show courage and strength in the face of adversity. Despite the fact that she doesn’t know whether her husband is alive or dead behind enemy lines, Rebecca (Andy’s wife) remains strong and never falters in her devotion to Andy.

Rebecca’s character represents war-time brides (both past and present). I wanted to show the strength, love and courage of these brave women whose loved ones were sent off to the Vietnam War. They faced harrowing fear on a daily basis, and relied on their faith and love to get them through their darkest days–- hoping and praying that their husbands returned home safely.

Most inspirational fiction readers today aren’t interested in G-rated books. “Sons In the Clouds” is a modern inspirational story that encompass spiritual themes where faith and love triumph over the brutal ugliness of war. My characters instill a hope-filled message to my readers long after the last page is read.